Preparing for Your Future: Tips for Millennials Applying to Colleges & Universities within Cebu City

Source: Glojam

If you have just completed your Senior High School, congratulations for successfully completing senior high – two extra years of high school is no easy feat.

By now, you are most likely planning for the next phase: college. If you are planning to study in one of the universities and colleges within Cebu City -- but do not live here -- do not fret. We will try to help you the best way we can in this article.

What are your options?

Source: Ucwebmaster, Wikimedia Commons

Within Cebu City itself, there are a lot of colleges and universities to choose from. Each one has their own qualification criteria, cut off and admission requirements so make sure you check out their individual websites – or, if internet connection is a problem, you can also visit the schools within their opening hours (make sure you do so during weekdays). Here is a non-exhaustive list of schools with their addresses (the admissions office) websites and opening hours, for your reference:

10. University of the Philippines Cebu, State University. You need to have passed the UPCAT which was held last year. If you did not pass the UPCAT for this particular campus, you will not be considered. Address: Lahug, Cebu City, 6000 Website: http://upcebu.edu.ph/admissions/ Contact Number: 232 2642 Opening Hours: 8 AM to 5 PM Estimated Tuition Fee per year: FREE as per RA No. 10931

Prepare the necessary documents.

These are the usual documents required for freshmen admission (based on most of the schools' websites):

Student information sheets (different forms used for each school)

Your official Senior High School Report Card

An original copy of your PSA Birth Certificate

Certificate of Good Moral Conduct from your high school

If available, the NCAE Result for those who graduated up to SY 2014-2015

Normally, schools will require you to take an admission test. Some allow you to take the test on the same day – among those who do are CIT-U and USJ-R. For others, you will need to check out their schedules.

Also, remember to bring cash as some schools require an admission test payment or downpayment for your college uniform (if you pass the admission test and initial screening, that is).

Important Tips: Always prepare extra photocopies of the documents mentioned above. Store them in a plastic envelope to make sure they won’t get wet just in case it rains. Second, always, always, always be mindful of your belongings. Double check whenever you can, especially when it comes to your original documents such as your birth certificate and report card.

Important Survival Tips. Please read.

Source: Glojam

I’m sure you probably have heard this from your parents, relatives or friends: watch your personal belongings. Other than that, though, here are some other things that might help you:

Bring bottled water everywhere. It can get very hot at times. God forbid you’ll faint because of the heat.

Bring an umbrella. It’s very useful as it can get so hot during the April and May months. Yet, it’s also useful during rainy days.

EAT. At times it will get very busy, but don’t forget to eat. Eating in Cebu City need not be expensive, if you know where to look. You can check out our tips here.

Bring snacks. Impromptu admission exams might drag on for far too long. Make sure you have something in your bag to munch on.

Stay in a safe area. Make sure that the hotel, pension house, dorm or whatever you choose to stay in is safe. Your security is one thing you should never sacrifice. Keep yourself safe especially if you’re not that familiar with Cebu City.

Keep your enrollment money somewhere secure. Under your socks, in some secret compartment in your boxers -- it doesn't matter where, as long as you keep it safe.

Finally, be very cautious (and alert) when you cross the streets. Some drivers don’t respect pedestrian lanes / zebra lines so always be on the lookout when you cross. Also, exercise prudence when crossing even the smallest of alleys! Motorcycles could zoom past you. Remember: when you cross the street, don’t just look out for four wheel vehicles, there are reckless bikers out there too.

Locate the schools in your city map.

Source: Google Maps

First, make sure you know where the schools are. Check out their locations via Google Maps or any map (digital or otherwise) you prefer.

Second, make sure you get the campus right. For example, USC has a Talamban and a Main Campus; UC has a Banilad Campus, then there’s UC Med and there’s UC Mambaling too. If you are familiar with the locations of the schools you want to apply to/inquire in, the subsequent steps will be a lot easier.

Third, familiarize yourselves with Cebu City's public transport. Know which jeepneys to take to and from each of the schools. Check out this article for transportation options in Cebu. If you’re having difficulties with finding the right jeepney routes, don’t hesitate to ask. Also, ask ahead how much the fare might be. This will allow you to cap your transportation budget. Pay the fare only when you’re getting close to your destination. Just in case (knock on wood), the jeepney you’re riding gets a flat tire and has to stop blocks away from where you should alight.

Fourth, find a hotel, pension house or dorm that is in close proximity to/conveniently near the schools you are applying to. An ideal location for this is Colon Street. Why, you wonder? Because it is just walking distance to University of San Carlos, University of San Jose-Recoletos, University of the Visayas, University of Cebu, Cebu Technological University, Cebu Normal University, Southwestern University and just one jeepney ride from all the other schools. Check out Google Maps, and you'll find that Colon Street is at the center of this cluster of institutions.

However, the problem with Colon Street is that is not exactly safe. That brings us to…

Fifth, find a safe accommodation with a good review. Find a place that is well-lit, clean, with proper amenities, with a guard on duty or CCTV cameras, and has nearby restaurants, food shops or carenderias. If you’re wondering about the reviews, you can check out the feedback on their Facebook page or other travel sites.

Sixth, find an affordable place to stay in. Are we asking too much? Not really. A clean, safe and student’s-budget-friendly accommodation near Colon Street does exist if you know where to look. You can find airconditioned rooms that will cost between P500-P1,000 per day, and there are some that offer free breakfast and WiFi at no extra cost.

Strategic Comfort for Just Over P700: Glojam Town Apartelle

Source: Glojam

Is it affordable?Yes, you only need to pay P795.00 for a single air-conditioned room, yet it already includes a bottle of water, breakfast, 12% Government Tax, and Wi-Fi Access (yay!). Of course, it also has a telephone, shower, cable TV, housekeeping and laundry service. Also, if for some reason, you have a child below 7 years old, he/she can stay in your room with you for free.

Is it safe? It is safe. A guard is on duty 24/7. As for your belongings, a safety deposit box is provided for you.

Is it a convenient location for those who are not familiar with Cebu City?Yes. Glojam Town Apartelle is located at V.L Building corner Colon Panganiban Street, Cebu City, Philippines 6000, just a few blocks away from Colon Street. Most of the colleges and universities mentioned above are just a jeepney ride or two away. You can even reach them by foot, if you prefer (though we wouldn’t recommend it).

There are so many eateries and restaurants surrounding Glojam – ranging from budget eats to familiar fast foods, from pricier specialty restaurants to pungko-pungko! If you do prefer to eat in, they also have their own restaurant, Glojam Café and Restobar.

It is near hospitals, police stations, churches (Basilica del Sto. Niño is just a few meters away, folks), and shopping malls (Gaisano malls, Elizabeth Mall and so on). Most of all, Glojam’s friendly staff at their reception counter would gladly assist you should you have queries regarding your stay in Cebu City.

If you would like to learn more about Glojam, or view images of their rooms to make sure you are going to get your money’s worth, go to: http://www.glojamtown.com